A family-owned Portuguese company specializing in sustainable packaging solutions for the dairy industry has announced plans to open its first U.S. facility in Northwest Ohio.
Operating globally across 30 countries, Intraplás will begin operations in Van Wert, Ohio, investing more than $37 million into a new 100,000 square-foot building. Intraplás currently employs approximately 400 people at its various facilities. The company has committed to creating 54 jobs but expects to hire at least 60 people in Van Wert.
“This is a transformative moment in Intraplás’ history and reflects our vision of becoming a true global player in the packaging sector,” said Duarte Faria, CEO, Intraplás. “The new facility in the United States positions us strategically, bringing us closer to our international customers while enabling us to offer North American clients our innovation, service quality, and commitment to sustainability.”
The Ohio Department of Development’s Tax Credit Authority approved the project for a state tax credit today.
“Intráplas could have chosen anywhere in the nation for its first U.S. operations facility, and it chose Van Wert, which says a lot about Northwest Ohio and its talented workforce. We welcome Intráplas to Ohio and congratulate them on their expansion into the United States.”
– Mike DeWine, Ohio Governor
Intraplás leaders praised the region’s workforce as a contributing factor to locate in the Van Wert County location, as well as its competitive operational costs, proximity to customer base, and transportation infrastructure, including rail and road access.
“The regional workforce in Northwest Ohio is characterized by its experience in industries like manufacturing and food processing. This aligns perfectly with our operational requirements, providing a reliable talent pool for roles across production, logistics and technical support.”
– Duarte Faria, CEO, Intraplás
The Intraplás CEO also recognized the availability of the Van Wert spec building, which offered the infrastructure and readiness needed for seamless project implementation.
Robinson Investments constructed the building, supported through the Ohio Site Inventory Program (OSIP), an innovative initiative created by JobsOhio to boost the competitiveness of the state in competing for economic development projects. The goal of the OSIP program is to fill gaps in Ohio’s real estate inventory. OSIP offers grants and low-interest loans to support speculative site and building development projects.
“We welcome Intraplás’ decision to choose Ohio for its first U.S. facility, which attracts a globally respected leader in the sustainable packing space,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Intraplás’ choice of Van Wert is an outstanding example of why the Ohio Site Inventory Program was established as a Portugal-headquartered company will be ready to create new jobs and operations rapidly in a newly developed facility.”
According to Faria, the Van Wert plant will focus on extrusion, thermoforming, and the production of paper cups for dairy products, enabling Intraplás to better serve its U.S. and international customers.
Intraplás said the decision to expand into the U.S. aligns with its global growth strategy, enabling closer proximity to key customers and access to a broader market. The U.S. represents a significant opportunity for growth in the dairy packaging sector, Faria said. Specifically to Van Wert, Faria added that through its evaluation process, the community stood out for its strong logistics infrastructure and overall supportive environment for business operations.
For Northwest Ohio, this project marks another success for a region that has long established itself as a leading location for businesses operating in the food processing and supply chain industry. In just the last five years, businesses within the Northwest Ohio food sector have invested more than $1.6 billion into their operations, leading to the creation of 2,300 new jobs.
“Northwest Ohio’s heritage in food processing, coupled with its robust supply chain and research capabilities, reassures us of the region’s alignment with our operational needs and long-term success,” Faria said.
The company complimented outstanding collaboration among the economic development partners including JobsOhio, the Regional Growth Partnership and Van Wert Area Economic Development. Comprehensive support was instrumental in making the project a reality, Faria said, and ensured smooth progress, reinforcing confidence in choosing Van Wert. In addition, he recognized the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon for playing an important role in providing support throughout this process.
“Intraplas’s decision to join our community aligns perfectly with the mission of Vision Park: to attract industry leaders using advanced technologies that secure long-term, sustainable jobs for Van Wert and surrounding counties,” said Brent Stevens, executive director, Van Wert Area Economic Development. “We’re proud to welcome Intraplas to Van Wert, and we look forward to a future built on innovation, partnership, and shared success.”
The company expects to begin operations in July 2025.
Additional remarks from Intraplás leadership:
Anabela Ferreira, Executive Board Member
“The investment in Ohio is a reflection of our commitment to innovation and proximity to the market. This new facility will strengthen Intraplás’ competitiveness, address the sector’s growing demands, and unlock new opportunities in the North American market. With this, we achieve a significant milestone in our Marble 2.0 Strategic Plan, which also aligns with the ambitions of our Family.”
Jorge Ferreira, Executive Board Member
“It is with great satisfaction that I witness the realization of this dream: positioning Intraplás, a Portuguese company, as a global player. This milestone reflects the dedication of our teams, showcasing the courage, innovation, and excellence that set us apart.”
Additional Remarks from a Key Partner :
Randi Charno Levine, U.S. Ambassador to Portugal
“I congratulate Intraplás on their strategic decision to open a new production facility in Van Wert, Ohio. As Portuguese companies expand their global footprint, the United States remains a priority market and an attractive investment destination. This investment further strengthens our economic ties, innovation, and creation of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic. The United States Embassy’s team is dedicated to supporting and promoting these opportunities and will continue our efforts in the years to come.”
About Intraplás
Founded in 1968 and located in the North of Portugal, Intraplás is a company driven by a passion to improve each day with the aim of offering eco-friendly packaging, combined with our advanced technology and innovation. This heritage of values has guided us on a long journey of knowledge, experience and delivery. We develop sustainable and innovative packaging solutions for food applications with a focus on people’s well-being. Our products are present in more than 30 countries.
About the Regional Growth Partnership
The Regional Growth Partnership is the lead economic development organization serving 17 counties in Northwest Ohio. As a private nonprofit development corporation, the RGP is dedicated to fostering regional, national and international business investment opportunities across the region. The RGP serves as Northwest Ohio’s network partner for JobsOhio. Visit www.rgp.org for more information.
About the JobOhio
JobsOhio, Ohio’s private nonprofit economic development corporation, enhances company growth and personnel development through business attraction, retention, and expansion across ten competitive industry sectors. With a team of seasoned professionals, JobsOhio utilizes a comprehensive network to foster talent production in targeted industries and attract talent through Find Your Ohio. Collaborating with seven regional partners, including Dayton Development Coalition, Lake to River Economic Development, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership and Team NEO, JobsOhio delivers world-class customer service to provide companies with a competitive advantage. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.